Yakult’s Wladimir Balentien and Hanshin coach Akihiro Yano were issued stern warnings and fines for fighting in last night’s game. Balentien shoved/pushed Yano during a bench-clearing incident that took place after Shintaro Fujinami hit Kazuhiro Hatakeyama with a pitch in the fifth inning. Yano struck back with a knee. The two were ejected for fighting. Balentien was issued a 200,000 yen fine and Yano a 150,000 yen fine. Balentien was given the larger fine because the league determined he was the cause of the fight.

The Yakult Swallows also submitted a statement to the NPB today that questioned why umpires did not eject Fujinami for throwing a dangerous pitch.